News

NMDC, NIMG; Pivotal to Minerals and Metals Sector growth- Adegbite

The Hon. Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite has stated that the roles being played by the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) and the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG), Jos would help achieve the desired growth in the Sector.

Adegbite stated this over the weekend during his working visit to the two organizations under his Ministry in Jos, Plateau State.

The Minister who who expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the two (2) Agencies, said he was not surprised by the achievements recorded since the assumption to office of the two Chief Executives, pointing out that results easily come when competent hands take charge of critical Agencies of government.
He referred to them as experts who have done a lot of researches in different areas relating to minerals and metals sector.

On the contributions of NIMG to the economy, Adegbite disclosed that the Agency is currently training a lot of people in gemstones identification, cutting, polishing and so on, which according to him, would enable Nigerians make use of the gemstones that are in quantum in the country rather than exporting them in the raw forms.


Some of the faculties in the School are also part of the jewelry making training that is ongoing in Abuja, adding that they are also a repository of knowledge and technical expertise on how different gemstones can be identified, cut, polished and made into jewelry.


Speaking on the positive impacts the NMDC has played, the Minister said that any Nation that desired to be independent and wants to make progress, technologically, must have its own steel production.


“This Centre is a technological hub without which Nigeria cannot make it. A lot has been done here and a lot more needs to be done, where they are today is no mean feat, they have done so much and they can also do more”, he noted.
He cited an MoU signed with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), on local production of armaments for the Nigerian armed forces as a step in the right direction.

According to him, “DICON had to look inward during Covid-19 restrictions and found out that what they have been importing into the country, could be done even better locally in NMDC, Jos.

He noted that the two Agencies need more funds to achieve their mandates and ensure Nigeria takes its pride of place in the global minerals and metals sector. He promised to address the funding issue before the current administration winds down.

in his opening remarks, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NMDC, Prof Linus Asuquo said the activities of the Agency are crucial in value additions and development of processes for the entire processing chain; from exploration to extraction and to fabrication.

He stated that the mandate of the Centre vested the responsibility of the conduct of research and development work in minerals and metallurgy in all their ramifications in the Centre.

Asuquo said significant progress has been recorded since the inception of the current administration most especially in renewing infrastructure and building capacity which is aimed at bringing the Centre at par with similar Research and Development establishments in other developing countries such as Mintek in South Africa, CMRDI in Egypt and even Mefos in Sweden.

He appreciated the dynamic leadership of the Hon. Minister for the acquisition and supply of new state-of-the-art equipment. These equipment according to him, enhanced the Centre’s capacity for minerals identification, processing, metallurgical research and analysis as well the conduct of forensic science.

The DG however pointed out that a lot still needs to be done to succeed in Research and Development works for the diversification of the economy.

He appealed for Ministry’s continuous support to the Centre in its efforts at attaining the level where it will not only contribute effectively to government’s objective of transforming the minerals and metals sector into major contributors to GDP but also rely on itself by generating the income it needs to fund its expenses and research work

Earlier in his address, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, NIMG, Prof Bolaji Hassan said the mission of the agency is to be an international centre of excellence in the training of manpower and the conduct of research in the exploration and exploitation of minerals for national development.

Hassan said NIMG is committed to the ideal of resuscitating Mining and Minerals processing Engineering and Skills Acquisition in Nigeria.

“To achieve these laudable programs, we must be proactive in developing our human capacity requirements to bridge the gap through training, research and skill acquisition, short courses specifically tailored to meet the present and future needs of our Mining, Minerals and Metal Sector”, he further explained.

He disclosed that the agency is committed to rendering professional knowledge and expertise through short duration courses, to enable them train and equip Nigerians with skills in specialized areas such as: Lapidary, Gemstone Cutting & Polishing; Jewelry Making, Basic Mining Practice for Miners and Quarry Management among others.

He solicited for more funding to assist the agency develop its infrastructure and deliver on its mandate

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Business Economy

Chowdeck Secures $2.5 Million in Seed Funding, Spearheading Growth in Nigeria’s Food Delivery Sector

post-image

 

 

Tobi Fasipe, Rider Operations Lead at Chowdeck, announced today a significant milestone in the company’s journey, as it secured $2.5 million in seed funding. This investment marks a pivotal moment for Chowdeck, highlighting its rapid expansion and commitment to revolutionizing the food delivery landscape in Nigeria.

Fasipe expressed his excitement about the recent achievements, citing the remarkable growth of Chowdeck’s on-demand delivery service. From processing just 1,000 deliveries daily upon his arrival, the company now boasts a dedicated team of over 3,000 riders handling an impressive 14,000 deliveries per day across 8 major Nigerian cities.

The meteoric rise in delivery volumes underscores Chowdeck’s relentless pursuit of excellence and dedication to providing exceptional service to its customers. This commitment is further evidenced by the company’s Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), which skyrocketed from ₦1 billion in October 2023 to an impressive ₦2.4 billion by March 2024, marking a remarkable 140% increase in just…

Read More
Business Economy Society

UBA Group GMAP Graduation Ceremony: Insights for Success Unveiled

post-image

 

In a resounding declaration of ambition and determination, the 2024 cohort of UBA Group’s Graduate Management Trainee Program (GMAP) stepped onto the stage last week, marking the beginning of their journey within the prestigious financial institution. Led by a seasoned executive, the induction ceremony not only welcomed the newcomers but also imparted invaluable insights for navigating the intricate pathways of career growth and personal development.

Reflecting on his own humble beginnings, the executive shared anecdotes from his early days as a trainee, highlighting the blend of ambition, thirst for knowledge, and the daunting challenges that lay ahead. Eager to engage with the fresh talent, he opened the floor to questions, unveiling the aspirations and concerns of a generation poised to leave their mark on the world.

Among the plethora of wisdom shared, several key takeaways emerged from the insightful dialogue:

1. Conquering Challenges with Resilience:** Armed with anecdotes from his own journey,…

Read More
Business Economy

Self-sustainability solutions and smart technology will help South Africa overcome its water crisis

post-image

 

 

Technology company, Versofy, best known for its solar solutions and services, says that preparing for South Africa’s water crisis should become a significant priority. The company, which is fast becoming a necessity-driven entrepreneurial brand, believes that further use of smart technology will also remain critical when addressing the pressing issues of water scarcity in South Africa.

 

Ross Mains-Sheard, Co-Founder and CEO of Versofy, says that South Africa’s water crisis is fast approaching scarcity status: “We believe that by promoting self-sufficiency and sustainability through our own smart technology solutions, we will help to address the increasing concerns regarding an imminent water shortage.”

 

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) estimates that 2.2 billion people across the globe don’t have access to clean drinking water. This is of concern when considering that water is a basic need for health and hygiene.   According to DBSA, South Africa’s physical water scarcity will become…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Entertainment Investments

Nigerians Rally Against DSTV’s High Subscription Rates, Embrace SLTV as Affordable Alternative – Anthony Emeka Nwosu

post-image

 

Amid mounting dissatisfaction with DSTV’s steep subscription fees, Nigerians are turning to SLTV in droves, marking a significant shift in the country’s television landscape.

The online outcry against DSTV gained traction when Mike Igozino voiced his frustration, announcing his switch to SLTV and condemning DSTV’s exploitation of hard-earned income. His sentiments resonated widely, sparking a wave of support for SLTV as a more economical option for premium entertainment.

“I can watch all Premier League, Champions League, Italian and Spanish leagues with just #5K monthly?! And DSTV collects 23,800 from me monthly… Nigerians, shine your eyes, DSTV came to steal from us,” declared Igozino, encapsulating the sentiment of many disillusioned consumers.

Jennifer Chioma Owolabi echoed the sentiment, expressing her eagerness to explore SLTV as a viable alternative to DSTV. She sought insights into SLTV’s offerings beyond sports channels, highlighting the growing interest in diversifying entertainment options.

Read More
Business Economy Society Software

Azentio Software wins three honours at IBS intelligence (IBSi) Digital Banking Awards 2024

post-image

Azentio Software (“Azentio”) (www.Azentio.com), a Singapore-headquartered technology firm owned by funds advised by Apax Partners, announced today that it has won three awards with its respective clients, at the IBSi Digital Banking Awards 2024 ceremony, held as a part of the prestigious Cedar-IBSi Digital Banking & AI Summit, on April 19 in Bengaluru, India. The company was declared Segment Winners I SME/Corporate Banking, Regional Winners I Middle East & Africa, and Segment Winners I Compliance Management.

 

Organised by IBS intelligence (IBSi), one of the world’s leading financial technology research, advisory, and news analysis firm firms, the annual award program honours technology players, Banking as a Service (BaaS) providers, digital banks, neo banks, and challenger banks for their excellence in driving impact through technology implementations and innovations using emerging technologies.

The Azentio Accolades

  • Digital Badge of Segment Winners I SME/Corporate Banking
  • Digital Badge of Regional Winners I…
Read More
Announcements Business Economy

Ethnos Hosts FinTech Association of Nigeria for Collaborative Discussions on Cybersecurity

post-image

 

Ethnos, a leading cybersecurity firm based in Lagos, recently welcomed the esteemed members of the FinTech Association of Nigeria to their premises for a collaborative meeting aimed at enhancing cybersecurity measures within the financial technology sector.

The event provided an invaluable platform for industry stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity in Nigeria’s burgeoning fintech industry. Led by Peter Ejiofor, the CEO of Ethnos, the gathering underscored the importance of fostering strong partnerships to fortify cybersecurity frameworks and mitigate emerging threats.

Expressing gratitude to the FinTech Association of Nigeria for their visit, Peter Ejiofor remarked, “Thank you to the FinTech Association of Nigeria for stopping by at our office. It was a pleasure hosting such esteemed professionals, and we are committed to fostering positive progress and achievements in our collaborative efforts moving forward.”

The meeting exemplified Ethnos’ dedication to promoting cybersecurity excellence and its commitment to supporting…

Read More
Business Economy Technology Technology Trends Telecoms

Africa Data Centres debuts ADC Channel programme

post-image

The primary goal of ADC Channel is to foster collaboration among partners within the ISP, Carrier, Telecommunications, Systems Integration, ICT and Data Centre providers; Channel Partners will have additional product offerings to add to their current portfolio and in turn generate new revenue streams; The programme offers partners easy access to data centre experts and will provide ongoing commercial and technical support.

Africa Data Centres, a division of the Cassava Technologies group, is excited to announce the launch of its exclusive channel partner programme, ADC Channel. This programme is designed to establish colocation and ecosystem partnerships, empowering members to expand their product portfolio & offerings alongside their market presence including an expanded data centre footprint.

ADC Channel presents a unique opportunity for global carriers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), system integrators, Data Centres, Mobile Network, Content Developer, telecommunications companies, network infrastructure operators, hyperscalers and others to deliver state-of-the-art, sustainable and cost-effective digital solutions to…

Read More
Business

Chinenye Anuforo Honored with MTN Nigeria Foundation Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Reportage

post-image

 

Chinenye Anuforo, a distinguished journalist with The Sun Newspapers, has been recognized with the prestigious MTN Nigeria Foundation Chairman’s Award for Innovative Reportage. The award ceremony took place during the School of Media and Communication’s (SMC) graduation ceremony for the MTN Media Innovation Program (MIP-2).

Presented by Mrs. Odunayo Sanya, the Executive Director and Board Member of MTN Foundation, along with a cash prize, the award acknowledges Chinenye’s exceptional report on the MTN Foundation Y’ellopreneur initiative. This initiative focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs by providing essential tools such as training, funding, and mentorship.No alt text provided for this image

Chinenye’s report highlighted the significant impact of the Y’ellopreneur initiative on women’s entrepreneurial aspirations in Nigeria. Her insightful exploration of the program’s contributions earned her this esteemed recognition.

Expressing her gratitude, Chinenye Anuforo stated, “I am pleased to receive the MTN Foundation Chairman’s…

Read More